Trap mounting



Nov. 8, 1938. J. D. ALTEMUS ET AL 6,

TRAP MOUNTING Filed March 26, 195-3 55 /l 5 A54 INVENTORS Jm D.Altmu.s,

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Patented Nov. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE TRAP MOUNTING or to said Altemus Application March 26,1936, Serial No. 70,934

7 Claims.

Our present invention relates generally to cata-. pults, and hasparticular reference to an im-. proved trap for hurling targets into theair.

Our invention is primarily adaptable to traps of the type in which apivoted throwing arm is carried by a frame which is in turn mounted inpivoted relationship to a. base, whereby an operator may load and reloadthe device and project a series of clay targets or the like into theair. We have chosen to illustrate such a device in, the present drawing,but it will be understood that certain phases of our invention are notnecessarily restricted in their applicability to any specific type oftarget thrower.

It is a general object of our invention to provide a trap which is soimproved, particularly in connection with the mounting of the trap upona base, that the operation of the device is greatly simplified, capableof better control, and permitting much greater variety in the angularityof propulsion of a series of projectiles.

We are aware of the fact that traps have been customarily mounted inadjustable relationships to a base,so that a certain degree of variationmay be effected with respect to the direction in which targets areprojected. The adjustments available are, however, of such a limitedcharacter, and usually require such time-consuming manipulations, thatwhere a series of targets are to be propelled in relatively rapidsuccession, the general direction is usually substantially the same ineach case. It frequently happens, therefore, that a person is a goodmarksman at trap shooting, but is very poor indeed when it comes toshooting birds in the field, because a covey will usually rise from theground in widely varying directions.

A trap constructed in accordance with our present invention is capableof manipulation by a single operator to project into the air, inrelative 1y rapid succession, a series of targets travelin in widelydifferent directions; and the present type of trap is, therefore,unusually eflicient in simulating the conditions which usually confrontthe hunter in the field.

One of the features of the present construction, contributing to theunusual and novel capabilities of the present trap, lies in theemployment of a special adaptation of a gimbal joint for articulat-. ingthe trap proper to a base. An ordinary ballancl socket joint isunsuitable and not sufficiently staunch to withstand the lateral andangular kick-backs which occur when a target trap is operated.

We achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustrativelyexemplified in the accompanying drawing, wherein-.

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a trap constructed in accordancewith the present invention; 7

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is an exploded View showing the elements of the present trapmounting.

The trap proper maybe of any customary character, and the details of itform no part of the present invention. Accordingly, they will be butbriefly referred to. We have shown a frame I to which a throwing arm IIis pivoted, as at I2, the reference numeral l3 being applied to areleasing mechanism. As will be understood by those skilled in the art,the trap is loaded by swinging the arm II rearwardly into a latchedposition, during which time the spring I4. is stressed. After thetargets have been applied in desired position onto the arm II, and afterthe trap is properly aimed, the manipulation of the releasing mechanismI3 causes the throwing arm I I to swing forwardly into the positionshown in Figure 1, under the action of the spring I4, whereby the targetor targets are propelled into the air.

In accordance with our present invention, a handle I5 is rigidly securedto the rear end of the frame It, and a second handle I6 is pivoted tothe frame, as at H, and serves as a trigger for the releasing mechanismI3. Both of these han-. dles are arranged in substantially vertical positions, as shown in Figure 1, so that they may be grasped by the hands ofan operator. The handle I5 fulfills an aiming function, and ismanipulated very much like a pistol grip in swinging the forward end ofthe trap in a desired direction. Pulling rearwardly upon the triggerhandle I6 effects an operation of the releasing mechanism.

The principal feature of our invention resides in the novel means formounting the trap upon a base. At I8 we have shown a typical foundationof concrete or the like upon which a hollow base I9 is rigidly mountedby means of bolts or studs or the like. The lower portion of the basemay be of any desired shape and is preferably somewhat dome-shaped. Theupper portion of the base (designated by the reference numeral 2I iscup-shaped and defines an upwardly-open socket. There is an opening 22in the bottom of the socket which establishes communication with theinterior of the lower portion of the base I9.

The socket 2I has a number of inner surface portions 23 which conform tothe surface of a low, downwardly-opening, spherical member 45.-

Preferably, though not necessarily, the frame H] of the trap has adepending foot 33 which is adjustably secured to the web 32. Forexample, we have illustratively shown a slot 34 in the foot 33, adaptedto engage with a nut-and-bolt type of clamp 35 which extends through oneof the openings 35 in the web 32. A nut-and-bolt type of clamp 31extends through the other opening 36 and through a corresponding openingin the foot 33. In Figure 1, we have illustratively shown the clamp 35positioned about midway of the slot 34, this bringing the frame H] toapproximately the angle shown. If the angle is to be smaller, withreference to the horizontal, the slot 34 may be pushed downwards; or, ifthe angle is to be increased relative to the horizontal, the slot 34 ispushed upwards.

The spherical member 40 is adapted to fit into the socket 2|, the outerspherical surface of the member 40 having the same curvature as theportions 23 of the socket 2|. The association is, however, radicallydifferent from a conventional or ordinary type of ball-and-sock etjoint.

Extending axially through the opening 22 in the base is a rod 4|preferably threaded at its lower end 42 and having a squared head 43.The lower portion of the rod extends down into the lower portion of thebase l9 and is housed by the latter. The upper end of the rod 4|projects into the interior of the spherical member 40. In accordancewith our invention, a gimbal joint articulates the upper end of the rod4| with the spherical member 40. 7

One manner in which this may be economically and efficientlyaccomplished is illustrated most clearly in Figure 3. A ring-shapedelement 44 fits over the rod 4| and has a square recess which snuglyaccommodates the squared head 43 of the rod. At diametrically opposedpoints, journal bearings 45 are provided. The element 44 thus, ineffect, forms a rigid part of the head of the rod 4| Surrounding theelement 44 is a ring 45 having the diametrically opposed, aligned,threaded openings 41. Studs 48, threaded at the outer end, engage withinthe openings 41, and the inner ends of the studs serve as journals and tinto the bearings 45. This pivots the ring 46 to the head of the rod 4|along a diameter of the ring 46.

At opposite ends of a diameter at right angles to the last-mentioneddiameter, the ring 46 is provided with interiorly threaded bosses 49into which studs 55 fit. The studs 50 are threaded at their inner ends,and their outer ends thus serve as pivots or journals which engagewithin openings in the spherical member 40. This serves to pivot thering 46 to the spherical member 40 along a diameter at right angles tothe diameter along which the ring 46 is pivoted to the element 44.

The structure is completed by providing a means beneath the socket 2|which exerts a constant downward pull on the rod 4|. A preferred way ofaccomplishing this is to mount a compression spring 52 around the lowerportion of the rod 4 and to hold the same in position, between Washers53, by means of a nut 54 which engages with the threads 42. The spring52 exerts a constant yieldable downward pull upon the rod 4|, and henceupon the spherical member 40, this pull being always in an axialdirection with respect to the base The tension of the spring may beadjusted by means of the nut 54. The ultimate result is that the trapproper may be swung into a wide variety of positions without impairingthe staunch and rugged manner with which the trap is supported upon thebase.

The trap is operated as follows. The adjustments with respect to theclamps 35 and 31 are first made to suit the particular purpose for whichthe trap is to be used. These adjustments, once made, are not variedduring the operation of the trap. The operator of the trap thenpositions himself behind it so that he can conveniently grasp the handlel5 with one hand and the handle IS with the other. First he swings thearm rearwardly and loads it; and he may then aim the trap to any of alarge variety of directions, as will be readily understood by anyonefamiliar with the freedom of movement of a gimbal-joint articulation.The pressure of the spring 52, thereby pressing the outer surface of themember 40 against the spherical surfaces 23 of the socket 2|, impedesthe freedom of move- .ment of the trap to an extent which is justsufficient to keep the trap under the complete control of the operator.The pressure is not so great, however, that the operator may not, withconsiderable ease, tilt the trap rapidly from one present trap, ascompared with any ordinary trap, is that the operator can almostimmediately reload the trap and fire a target into an entirely differentdirection. No cumbersome manipulations are necessary. The axialdisposition of the rod 4| permits him at once to swing the entire traparound a vertical'axis, and the handle I5 is constantly under hiscontrol so as to permit him at the same time to tilt the trap into anyof a large variety of positions. In this way, the targets that arepropelled may be caused to simulate, quite closely, the birds whichwould rise from cover in the field.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, hereindescribed and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature ofour invention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense. 7

Having thus described our invention, and illustrated its use, what weclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A trapmounting comprising an upwardlyopen socket having a bottom opening, saidsocket having inner surface portions conforming to the surface of asphere, a trap-supporting member having a hollow, downwardly-opening,spherical member adapted to fit into said socket, a rod projectingaxially through said opening into the interior of said spherical member,a gimbal joint articulating the spherical member to the top of said rod,and yieldable means beneath said socket exerting a constant downwardpull on said rod.

2. A trap mounting comprising an upwardlyopen socket having a bottomopening, said socket having inner surface portions conforming to thesurface of a sphere, a trap-supporting member having a hollow,downwardly-opening, spherical member adapted to fit into said socket, arod projecting axially through said opening into the interior of saidspherical member, a gimbal joint articulating the spherical member tothe top of said rod, and yieldable means beneath said socket exerting aconstant downward pull on said rod, said means comprising a compressionspring operatively interposed between the socket and the rod.

3. A trap mounting comprising an upwardlyopen socket having a bottomopening, said socket having inner surface portions conforming to thesurface of a sphere, a trap-supporting member having a hollow,downwardly-opening, spherical member adapted to fit into said socket, arod projecting axially through said opening into the interior of saidspherical member, a gimbal joint articulating the spherical member tothe top of said rod, a spring operatively interposed between the socketand the rod for exerting a constant yieldable downward pull on said rod,and means for adjusting the tension of said spring.

4. A trap mounting comprising an upwardlyopen socket having a bottomopening, said socket having inner surface portions conforming to thesurface of a sphere, a trap-supporting member having a hollow,downwardly-opening, spherical member adapted to fit into said socket, arod projecting axially through said opening into the interior of saidspherical member, a gimbal joint articulating the spherical member tothe top of said rod, yieldable means beneath said socket exerting aconstant downward pull on said rod, and a hollow base beneath saidsocket for housing the lower portion of said rod.

5. A trap mounting comprising an upwardlyopen socket having a bottomopening, said socket having inner surface portions conforming to thesurface of a sphere, a trap-supporting member having a hollow,downwardly-opening, spherical member adapted to fit into said socket, arod projecting axially through said opening into the interior of saidspherical member, a gimbal joint articulating the spherical member tothe top of said rod, a spring operatively interposed between the socketand the rod for exerting a constant yieldable downward pull on said rod,means for adjusting the tension of said spring, and a hollow basebeneath said socket for housing the lower portion of said rod.

6. A trap mounting comprising an upwardlyopen socket having a bottomopening, said socket having inner surface portions conforming to thesurface of a sphere, a trap-supporting member having a hollow,downwardly-opening, spherical member adapted to fit into said socket, arod projecting axially through said opening into the interior of saidspherical member, a gimbal joint articulating the spherical member tothe top of said rod, and yieldable means beneath said socket exerting aconstant downward pull on said rod; the largest diameter of said socketbeing at its rim.

'7. A trap mounting comprising an upwardlyopen socket having a bottomopening, said socket having inner surface portions conforming to thesurface of a sphere, a trap-supporting member having a hollow,downwardly-opening, spherical member adapted to fit into said socket, arod projecting axially through said opening into the interior of saidspherical member, a gimbal joint articulating the spherical member tothe top of said rod, and. yieldable means beneath said socket exerting aconstant downward pull on said rod, said gimbal joint comprising a headon the upper end of said rod, a ring surrounding said head and pivotedto the latter along a diameter of said ring, and means for pivoting saidring to i the spherical member along a diameter at right angles to thefirst-named diameter.

JAMES D. ALTEMUS. ALBERT W. R. J. MOELLER.

